In 2009, Norway faced the global challenge of the influenza pandemic. Risk communication is an important tool within healthy promoting work. In this study the main aim was to explore reflections of students on the ris...In 2009, Norway faced the global challenge of the influenza pandemic. Risk communication is an important tool within healthy promoting work. In this study the main aim was to explore reflections of students on the risk assessment of season flu and the swine flu in 2009 according to field of study. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey based on 505 students is presented. 42.4% were health subject students, and 57.6% were non-health subject related students. The majority of the students were 20-24 years old. Most of the respondents were not concerned at being infected with the swine flu, and did underestimate the death toll of the common flu. Students were more concerned about the swine flu than the regular season flu. By logistic regression, the odds ratio for taking the swine flu vaccine was greater among students who were concerned （O.R. = 2.5）. During the swine flu pandemic, student trust towards the health authorities was low. Among the students, 74% stated they would consider advice from the health authorities, 37% from their parents and 20% from mass media. Stating risk of getting the common flu was at the medium or great risk level for far less non-health students than for health students, 38.2% versus 55.6%, P = 0.001. The perceived infection risk was likewise higher in the health student group, 52.4% versus 36.2%, P = 0.001. The respondents had little faith in general public vaccination as well as being critical concerning side effects of vaccination. The results from the study indicated that the students would rather follow advice about their personal hygiene than advice to take the swine flu-vaccine.展开更多
文摘In 2009, Norway faced the global challenge of the influenza pandemic. Risk communication is an important tool within healthy promoting work. In this study the main aim was to explore reflections of students on the risk assessment of season flu and the swine flu in 2009 according to field of study. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey based on 505 students is presented. 42.4% were health subject students, and 57.6% were non-health subject related students. The majority of the students were 20-24 years old. Most of the respondents were not concerned at being infected with the swine flu, and did underestimate the death toll of the common flu. Students were more concerned about the swine flu than the regular season flu. By logistic regression, the odds ratio for taking the swine flu vaccine was greater among students who were concerned （O.R. = 2.5）. During the swine flu pandemic, student trust towards the health authorities was low. Among the students, 74% stated they would consider advice from the health authorities, 37% from their parents and 20% from mass media. Stating risk of getting the common flu was at the medium or great risk level for far less non-health students than for health students, 38.2% versus 55.6%, P = 0.001. The perceived infection risk was likewise higher in the health student group, 52.4% versus 36.2%, P = 0.001. The respondents had little faith in general public vaccination as well as being critical concerning side effects of vaccination. The results from the study indicated that the students would rather follow advice about their personal hygiene than advice to take the swine flu-vaccine.
